Disk assorting and counting apparatus



July 25, 1967 o. F. BUSCH DISK ASSORTING AND COUNTING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet l Filed Deo. 27, 1965 32 fag/..72 l,

4 a @M M 24 mw ,f w .wm ma. .J /X WN 5 J l mw 20H w y 4d L 5 ivm. -L @ww 8 25 wl/ H TNW ,.1 V mi? M f 0\. In.: Aa E/i ..7 8 -mn/ u. v( l N 2 wJuly 25, 1967 o. F. BUSCH 3,332,430

DISK ASSORTING AND COUNTING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 27, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet2 I| 2/4- f /r/ 3 f Z0? 220 -24 ,/55 /55 2 /50 I /56 l I 226 coa/WER 236ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,332,430 DISK ASSORTING AND CUNTTNG APPARATUSOtto F. Busch, 147 Clover Ave., Croydon, Pa. 19020 Filed Dec. 27, 1965,Ser. No. 516,233 10 Claims. (Cl. 133-3) The present invention providesapparatus whereby disks are passed down an inclined chute and assortedinto varying size classifications. As a part of the invention, means`are provided for counting the number of individual coins assorted intoeach classification. Moreover, means are provided for blocking thepassage of other coins along the chute while an individual coin is beingassorted and counted.

This invention relates to a disk asserting and counting apparatus. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to apparatus for assorting disks,such as coins, into predetermined size classifications and counting thenumber of disks in each classification.

It therefore is a general object of the present invention to provide anovel disk assorting apparatus.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel diskcounting and assorting apparatus.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novelapparatus for counting disks of varying sizes.

It is yet another object of the present invention to pro- Vide a novelapparatus for assorting disks into varying size classifications andcounting the number of disks in each such classification.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a noveldisk assorting apparatus having means to release a disk to be assortedand temporarily block the passage of unassorted disks until such disksare properly assorted.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in thedrawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood,however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangementsand instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE l is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus illustratingthe assorting mechanism.

FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1taken along the line 2--2.

FIGURE 3 is a partial sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIGURE ltaken along the line 3 3.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the reciprocal disk release andblocking member.

FIGURE 5 is `a perspective view of a coin box.

FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of the electrical circuitassociated with the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals indicatelike elements, there is shown in FIG- URE 1 a disk assorting apparatusdesignated generally as 10. The present invention will be described inconnection with asserting and counting coins, and particularly coins ofthe United States monetary system. But as will be readily understood bythose skilled in the art, the apparatus has application to assortingother types of disks. Thus, the apparatus has application in theasserting of tokens and the like.

As shown, the counting apparatus 10 is mounted within a housing l2-which is divided into two diverging sections 14 and 16. Only section 14will be described in detail, it being understood that section 16 isstructurally the same. The housing y12 includes a top wall 18, end wall20, and side walls 20 and 22. A plurality of partitions 26, 28, 30, 32,34 and 36 extend downwardly and transversely of the side wall 22, 24.The partitions 26-36 together with side wall 22 define individual coincollecting ice compartments within the housing 12. Firusto-conicalshaped members 48, 42, 44, 46 and 48 extend downwardly from the bottomof said compartments. The frustoconical members 40-48 define circularopenings at their center with anges or lips 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58projecting outwardly at the bottom edges thereof. The lips 50-58 permita coin bag, such as the bag 60 to be tied or otherwise supported in opencommunication with the interior of the compartments. Thus, coins ortokens assorted into the individual compartments will fall into the bag.Alternatively, a coin box such as the box 62 shown in FIGURE 5 may beslid into the compartments for collecting and retaining the assorted andcounted coins. The coin box 62 is shown in the second compartment fromthe right in FIGURE l. Additional coin boxes 64, 66 and 68 of similarconstruction are shown in the remaining compartments.

The housing l2 is provided with a slot-like opening 70 into which disksor coins to be assorted and counted are deposited. The opening 70 may bein communication with a hopper or other coin receiving member. The widthof slot 70 is such that it is only slightly wider than the largest coinor token to be received therethrough. Thus, if the apparatus 10 isdesigned to accept and assort the most common United States coins, thenthe width of slot 70 should be only slightly more than the width of afifty cent piece so as to permit it to fall freely therethrough. Sincethe slot 70 must also accept coins of smaller width, there is thepossibility that two coins, such as two dimes or a penny and nickelfalling through the slot together would have a combined width greaterthan that of slot 70, and jam. Accordingly, a rectangular opening isformed so as to extend across the slot 70. The height of opening `72 issufficient to permit the surface of a roller 74 to project partiallytherethrough. The axis of roller 74 is parallel to the longitudinal axisof opening 72 and is rotatably supported on appropriate bearings. Amotor 76 is mounted on a bracket 78 and drives the roller so that thesurface exposed through the opening 72 moves in an upward direction. Theeffect of the rotating roller is to frictionally engage one lsurface ofany two coins that may be passing through the slot 70 in a manner whichwould result in their becoming jammed. In this manner, the rollerengages one of the coins and drives it upwardly until the other coinfalls through the slot 70.

The slot 70 provides access for the coins to an inclined chute 80. Coinspassing through the slot 70 may also be received in an inclined chute 82which is part of section 16. Since the apparatus operates the same foreither chute, only section 14 is described herein.

The chute 84 is defined by Ia pair of spaced-apart walls 84 and 86supported in vertical disposition lby the housing 12. In the embodimentshown, the walls 84 and 86 are supported in a vertical disposition bysecuring them to the top wall 18. In a preferred embodiment, the walls84 and 86 are spaced apart 0.88 inch to permit free passage therebetweenof a half dollar which is the widest coin or disk described for use withthe present invention.

The bottom wall of chute is defined by the top edges `of a plurality oflongitudinally spaced-apart spacing members 88, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98.As shown, the spacing members 88-98 are bolted, riveted or otherwisesecured to the walls 84 and 86. The spacing members 8898 are mountedIbetween the walls 84 and 86 so that their top edges are parallel andaligned. Accordingly, disks or coins passing through the slot opening 70will roll down the chute 80 with their peripheral edges on the top edgesof spacing members 88-98. The longitudinal distance between spacingmembers 88-98 is arranged so as to be successively decreasing. Thus, thedistance between member 88 and member 90 is greater than the distanceIbetween member 90 and member 92. Similarly, members 92 and 94, 94 and96, and 96 and 98 are spaced apart lesser distances. The distancebetween each of the members 88- 98 is chosen so as to Ibe approximatelyequal to the diammeter of the particular coin or token to tbe passedtherethrough. Thus, if it is desired to pass half dollars through thespacing between members 88 and 90, then the distance between suchmembers will be adjusted to be slightly larger than the diameter of ahalf dollar. For example, this distance may be 1.312 inches. Similarly,the distance between members 90 and 92 may be for a quarter, which wouldmake it equal to 1.062 inches; the distance between members 92 and 94may Ibe for a nickel, which would make it .937 inch; the distancebetween members 94 and 96 may be for a penny, which would make itapproximately .875 inch. The distance between members 96 and 98 is notcritical since it is not intended that any coin except a dime shouldpass that far down the chute 80. However, if desired, the distance maybe adjusted to be just slightly larger than the diameter of a dime.

The top Wall of the chute 80 is defined by Ia plurality of spacingmembers 110, 112, 114, 116 and 118. The spacing member 110 has avertical portion that extends upwardly to define the side of slot 70.Moreover, the end of the upward extension is cut at an angle so that theslot 70 is enlarged for easy reception of a coin or token.

A plurality of stop members 2li, 122, 124, 126 and 128 are mountedbetween spacing members 110-118. As shown, the stop members 1Z0-128 areof successively greater length so that their lower edges areprogressively positioned closer to the bottom of chute 80. The distancebetween each of the stop members 120-128 and the bottom of chute 80 issuch that it will engage a disk or coin of predetermined size rollingdown the chute but will permit other coins of smaller diameter tocontinue down the chute 80. The lower corner closest to the entrance ofchute 80 of each ot the stop members 1Z0-128 is provided with iachamfered edge 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138 respectively. The chamferededges 13G-138 each support a stop contact 140, 142, 144, 1416 and 148,each of which extends transversely across the chute 80 and through thewalls 84 and 86. The distance between each of the stop contacts 140-148and the bottom of chute 80 is such that it will engage a disk or coin ofa predetermined size rolling down the chute 80 but will permit othercoins of smaller diameter to continue down the chute. As shown in FIGUREl, the stop contact 140 has engaged a half dollar and is preventing itfrom rolling further down the chute 80. However, a quarter, nickel,penny or dirne may pass under the contact 14) and stop member 120 tocontinue down the chute 80. Similarly, the stop contact 142 prevents aquarter from continuing further down the chute, while permitting anickel, dime or penny to continue beneath it. The contact 144 stopsnickels, the contact 146 stops pennies, and the contact 148 stops dimes.

A half dollar 150 has been shown in abutting relation with the stopContact 140. A penny 152 is shown immediately behind it. On the otherhand, the remaining coins have been shown in phantom merely toillustrate their relative diameters and positions. v

As illustrated in FIGURE 3, each of the reeds 140- 148 extends throughand is supported by the walls 84, 86. The stop contacts 140-148 are madeof an electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, silver orcopper Iand provided with an electrically conductive wire. The Wirespermit the stop contacts 140-148 to be connected in the electricalcontrol circuit to be described below.

A reciprocable disk release and blocking plate is mount ed over the openspace between each -of the spacing members 88-98. One such reciprocabledisk release and blocking plate 156 is shown in FIGURE 4. The plate 156is the same as the plate in FIGURE l on which the half dollar 150 rests.Similar plates 158, 160, 162 and 164 are provided for each of theremaining coins. These plates are similar in construction to the plate156 'but may be of a smaller size.

As mounted, the top surface of each of the plates 156-164 is ush withthe top edge of each of the spacing members 88-98. Accordingly, when theplaes 156-164 are in position overlying the opening between the spacingmembers 88-98, they form, together with the top edges of said spacingmembers, a continuous bottom wall for the chute 80. Thus, a coindeposited through the slot opening 70 will continue to roll down thechute 80 until it engages one of the stop cont-acts -148.

Each of the plates 156-164 is supported in reciprocable sliding relationwith the spacing members 88-98. The plates are provided with a holethrough which a fastener may extend so as to connect the plates to asolenoid armature. In FIGURE 3, the plate 156 is shown connected to thearmature 166 of solenoid 168. In FlGURE 2, the plate 158 is shownconnected to the armature 170 of the solenoid 172. The several solenoidsare mounted to the wall 84 by means of brackets 174. Actuation of thesolenoid coils will cause the respective armatures to reciprocatethereby drawing the plates 156-164 with them.

As shown in FIGURE 4, ia pair of legs 176 and 178 extend laterally fromeach end of the plate 156. Similar legs extend from the remaining plates158-164. The plate 156, as Well as the plates 158-164, is mounted sothat the arms 176 and 178 normally rest on the bottom of an opening inthe wall 86. The arms may even extend beyond the wall 86 as 'best shownin FIGURES 2 and 3. The arms 176 and 178 are positioned to deiine anopen space between them through which a coin will drop when the plate156 or its equivalent is reciprocated toward the respective solenoidcoils.

In FIGURE 2, the plate 156 is shown in its reciprocated position landthe plate 158 is shown in its normal position. The half dollar wouldhave come to rest against the stop contact 140. With the plate 156reciprocated as shown, the half dollar 150 is about to drop through theopen space between the legs 176, 178 and spacing members 88, 90. Thehalf dollar will fall into the compartment defined by partition walls34, 36 and side wall 22. In the embodiment shown, it will fall throughthis compartment into the coin lbag 60. Arms 176 and 178 are ofsuilicient length so that they continue to rest on the top edges of thespacing members when the plates are reciprocated. This provides supportfor the plates in their reciprocated disposition.

Each of the plates 156-164 is provided with a blocking flange 181iextending upwardly from the inner side of the arm 178. The plates156-164 are mounted so that the respective arms 178 and flanges 180 areon the upper side of the inclined plane dening the bottom wall of chute80. Thus, when a plate is reciprocated by its solenoid, the flangeextends across the space between walls 84 and 86 and blocks furtherprogression of coins or tokens down the chute 80. In the illustratedembodiment, the plate 156 has been reciprocated beneath the half dollar150 and thereby moves the blocking ilange 180 across the chute 80 andprevents the penny 152 from continuing down the chute. After the halfdollar 150 has fallen through the space lbetween stop members S8 and 90,and the plate 156 has been reciprocated to its normal position overlyingsaid space, the penny 152 will be freed to continue rolling down thechute 80 until it engages the stop contact 146. In so rolling down thechute, it will not engage the stop contacts 142 and 144 since they arespaced far enough above the bottom wall to avoid contact with penny 152.The ultimate position of the penny 152 is illustrated in phantom.

A plurality of brackets such as the brackets 182 and 184 are mountedalong the wall 86. Each bracket supports a microswitch such as themicrosWitc-hes 186 and 188. The microswitches are of the normally closedtype which will open an electric circuit when its toggle arm 19t), 192,194, 196, or 198 is pivoted downwardly by a coin falling through theopenings between the spacing members. Since each toggle arm 190-198extends transversely across the open space between the stop members88-98, a coin falling through such open space will engage the toggle armand thereby cause the switch to which it is connected to momentarilyopen. After the coin falls away from the respective toggle arm, it willresume its normal position and thereby close the electric circuit. Eachmicroswitch is connected in electric circuit relation with the contactsof a relay circuit.

When a solenoid is deenergized, the plate to which its armature isconnected returns to its normal position overlying the opening betweenthe spacing members 88-98. Each of the plates 156-164 are biased totheir normal position by means of a pair of elongated flat resilientspring members. Two such spring members 200 and 202 are shown in theirbiased position attached to the wall 84 by screws 212 and 214 extendingthrough the ends thereof. The springs 200 and 262 extend vertically downthe walls to a position overlying the side edge of the plate 156. Whenthe solenoid coil 168 is energized to join the armature 166 and therebyreciprocate plate 156, the free ends of springs 200 and 202 are biasedoutwardly away from the wall 84. Deenergization of the coil 168 permitsthe bias of springs 200 and 202 to cause the plate to reciprocate backto its normal position. Similar springs 216 and 218 are shown forbiasing the plate 158.

A bracket 220 is mounted to the wall 86 and supports a relay 222. Thepurpose of relay 222 will be made clear from the description of theapparatus as set forth below.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that when one of the slides 156-164which are mounted in overlying relation with the open spaces between thespacing members 88-98 is reciprocated, the open space below it will beexposed. Each of the slides 156164 is mechanically attac-hed to thearmature, such as the armatures 166 and 170, of a solenoid, which whenenergized, causes the slide to reciprocate. Deenergization of one of thesolenoids permits the armatures and plates to be biased back to theiroverlying position by means of resilient springs such as the springs 200and 202. The ange 18)` and similar flanges on the remaining slides ispositioned so as to block the chute 80 when the slide is reciprocated,This stops the further passage of coins down the chute until theparticular coin resting on the slide falls through the opening betweenthe spacing members 88-90. Below each slide is mounted one of the togglearms 190-198 of the microswitches, such as microswitches 186 and 18S.The toggle arms 190-198 are positioned so as to be biased downwardly bya coin passing through the opening.

Reference is now made to FIGURE 6 wherein a schematic illustration ofthe electrical circuit is shown. The operation of the assorting andcounting apparatus will be described in conjunction with the descriptionof the schematic illustration.

To place the apparatus 10 in operating condition, the switch contacts224 are closed, thereby energizing the transformer 226. Following this,it is presumed that a plurality of coins or other tokens of unlikediameters have been deposited through the slot opening 70 and areproceeding down the chute 80 after moving past the rotating roller 74.It is of course to be understood that some of the coins will lalsoproceed down the chute S2, but since both chutes are alike, only theoperation of the apparatus 10 associated with chute 80 will bedescribed. In the embodiment described, it will be assumed that theapparatus 10 is going to count fifty-one cents in the form of a halfdollar and penny deposited through the opening 70.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the half dollar 150 was deposited first and hasproceeded down chute 80 until it came to rest against the contact stop140. The coin, being made of silver or a combination of silver andcopper, completes an electrical circuit between the stop contact 140 andground. The ground terminal is provided by making the plates 156-164 ofan electrically conductive material, such as aluminum, and either con- 6necting them or the solenoid armatures to ground. In FIGURE 3, the plate156 is shown connected to a lead wire 226 which in turn is connected toground. It is to be understood that other methods of completing thecircuit to ground may be provided. Thus, the stop co-ntact 146 should belresiliently biased into connection by the half dollar 150, therebycompleting a connection to ground. This type of connection could besubstituted when tokens made of nonconductive material are used.

When the half dollar 150 cornes to rest against the stop contact 140, anelectric circuit is completed from the secondary of transformer 226through the relay coil 222, through the normally closed microswitch 186and back to the transformer secondary. Transformer 226 is energized by asource of alternating current (not shown) connected to the primarythrough switches 224. The flow of current through relay coil 222energizes it, thereby closing relay contact 228 with xed relay contact230 and closing relay contact 232 with fixed relay Contact 234. Theclosing of contact 232 with contact 234 locks the -relay 222. The relay222 remains locked in its energized condition even though the halfdollar falls out of contact with the stop contact 140. The closing ofcontact 228 against fixed contact 230 permits current to flow throughthe solenoid 168 thereby drawing in the armature 166. The plate 156reciprocates across the opening between spacing members 88 and 90thereby moving the flange 180 into blocking position. This stops thefurther movement of penny 152 down the chute 80. Simultaneously, theopening between spacing members 88 and 90 is exposed and the half dollar150 falls therethrough.

The closing of contacts 228 and 230 also energizes the counter 236,which registers a change of one integer in response to suchenergization. This type of counter is well known and need not bedisclosed in detail.

After the half -dollar has cleared the plate 156, it will strike thetoggle arm thereby causing microswitch 226 to momentarily open thecircuit from the secondary of transformer 226. This deenergizes therelay coil 222, opening contacts 228-23() and 232-234. The solenoid 168therefore releases and the bias of springs 200 and 202 closes the plate156. The circuit is now in condition to await another coin.

The movement of plate 156 back to its normal position unblocks the penny152 which then proceeds down the chute 80 until it strikes the stopcontact 146. The stop contact 146 is connected in a circuit similar tothat illustrated in FIGURE 6. In fact, a circuit similar to that ofFIGURE 6 is provided at each of the assorting positions. However, toavoid unnecessarily complicating the description of this invention, onlyone such circuit has been shown. It is of course to be understood thatonly one transformer 226 may 'be necessary. Similarly, a single counter236 capable of receiving inputs from each of the circuits may beprovided.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and,accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, ratherthan to the foregoing specification las indicating the scope of theinvention.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for sorting discs of different -dimensions comprising aninclined sorting chute, contact members positioned in said chute forengagement by discs of varying dimensions, openings in said chuteadjacent said contact members, collection means in communication withsaid openings for receiving sorted discs, disc release and blockingmechanisms for `said openings, said mechanisms comprising a blockingmember for preventing passage of discs along said chute and a discrelease member normally obstructing one of said openings, meansresponsive to contact 'between a disc and a contact member for itsparticular dimension to actuate one of .said disc release and blockingmechanisms so that said blocking member is moved to an operativeposition in alignment with said chute and said disc release member isremoved from its position obstructing said one of said openings, saidblocking member being ldisposed upwardly of said chute from said one ofsaid openings so that actuation of said disc release and blockingmechanism permits a disc to enter said one of said openings whilepreventing other discs from so doing.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and trip mechanisms in .saidopenings and positioned to be engaged by -released discs, said tripmechanisms causing the blocking members for their respective openings tomove to an inoperative position out of alignment with sai-d chute andthe disc release members for 4their respective openings to move topositions normally obstructing said openings.

3. Apparatus in Iaccordance with claim 1 wherein said disc releasemember is a reciprocable member normally overlying said one of saidopenings in said chute, said blocking member projecting from said discrelease member and normally otset from .alignment with said chute, meansto reciprocate said disc release member when said contact is engaged bya disc, said means reciprocating said disc release member to expose saidopening and to position said blocking member in blocking alignmentacross said chute.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said disc release memberis a reciprocable plate normally overlying said one of said openings inthe bottom wall of said chute, said blocking member comprising a llangeadjacent the upper side of said plate and normally offset `fromalignment with said chute, means to reciprocate said plate when saidcontact is engaged by a disc, said means reciprocating said plate toexpose said opening and to position said flange across said chute.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said collection meansincludes partitions for maintaining said discs in an assorted condition.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said disc release andblocking mechanism includes a solenoid, a relay for switching saidsolenoid into an electric circuit, said relay being connected to one ofsaid contact members, said contact members including means to close anelectric circuit to energize said relay.

7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and trip mechanisms in saidopenings positioned to be engaged by released discs, said tripmechanisms for their respective openings to cause said blocking memberto move to an inoperative position out of alignment with said chute,.and said disc release member to move to its position normallyobstructing the opening.

8, An appartus in accordance with claim 6, and a trip mechanism disposedin said opening and positioned to be engaged by a released disc, saidtrip mechanism being coupled to said relay to deenergize said relay inresponse to engagement by a released disc.

9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, and a disc counter coupledto said trip mechanism for operation in response to engagement of saidtrip mechanism by a released disc.

10. An apparatus for assorting coins comprising an inclined sortingchute down which coins of different value and diameter are adapted toroll, a collection means into which the coins are deposited, electricalcontact members positioned at successively decreasing distances abovethe bottom wall of said chute for engagement by coins of varyingdiameters, a coin release and blocking mechanism operative, when a coinhas engaged the contact member for its particular diameter, to releasethe coin from the chute and block the passage of other coins .along saidchute, each of said contact members being adapted to close an electricalcircuit to energize a switch connected thereto, each said coin releaseand blocking mechanism including a reciprocable plate overlying anopening in said bottom wall, a coin blocking member projecting from saidplate and adjacent the upper end of said plate, electrically actuatedmeans for reciprocating said plate to expose said opening and releasesaid -coin therethrough, said blocking member being positioned on saidplate to be out of blocking relation with said chute when said plateoverlies said opening and to be in blocking relation with said chutefurther up said chute than said opening when said plate is reciprocatedto expose said opening, said electrically actuated means being connectedto said switch, said switch being adapted to close an electrical circuitthrough said electrically actuated means, a microswitch, saidmicroswitch having a movable contact arm positioned below said plate forengagement by a released coin passing through said opening, saidmicroswitch being adapted to be connected to a counter for registeringthe passage of a coin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,338,575 l/l944 Daugherty 133-33,032,162 5/1962 Huckins 133-8 X 3,040,858 6/1962 Almquist 133--3 XROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR SORTING DISCS OF DIFFERENT DIMENSIONS COMPRISING ANINCLINED SORTING CHUTE, CONTACT MEMBERS POSITIONED IN SAID CHUTE FORENGAGEMENT BY DISCS OF VARYING DIMENSIONS, OPENINGS IN SAID CHUTEADJACENT SAID CONTACT MEMBERS, COLLECTION MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITHSAID OPENINGS FOR RECEIVING SORTED DISCS, DISC RELEASE AND BLOCKINGMECHANISMS FOR SAID OPENINGS, SAID MECHANISMS COMPRISING A BLOCKINGMEMBER FOR PREVENTING PASSAGE OF DISCS ALONG SAID CHUTE AND A DISCRELEASE MEMBER NORMALLY OBSTRUCTING ONE OF SAID OPENINGS, MEANSRESPONSIVE TO CONTACT BETWEEN A DISC AND A CONTACT MEMBER FOR ITSPARTICULAR DIMENSION TO ACTUATE ONE OF SAID DISC RELEASE AND BLOCKINGMECHANISMS SO THAT SAID BLOCKING MEMBER IS MOVED TO AN OPERATIVEPOSITION IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID CHUTE AND SAID DISC RELEASE MEMBER ISREMOVED FROM TIS POSITION OBSTRUCTING SAID ONE OF SAID OPENINGS, SAIDBLOCKING MEMBER BEING DISPOSED UPWARDLY OF SAID CHUTE FROM SAID ONE OFSAID OPENINGS SO THAT ACTUATION OF SAID DISC RELEASE AND BLOCKINGMECHANISM PERMITS A DISC TO ENTER SAID ONE OF SAID OPENINGS WHILEPERVENTING OTHER DISCS FROM SO DOING.